Turning Vision into Action
True or false: Casting a big vision is the hardest part of leading change? (Hint: It's not.)
Recently, we met with the new president of a well-established organization. He was preparing for his first meeting of 2025 with the executive team, and he wanted it to count.
His goal? Cast a vision for the future that would get the team not just on board but excited. He wanted to honor the company’s past success without making it feel like the “old ways” weren’t good enough. Most importantly, he needed buy-in—not merely polite nods—but genuine ownership of the vision.
The Challenge
It’s no small task. And he wasn’t the first leader we’ve worked with who felt the weight of it. Big ideas can be energizing… until they aren’t. Too often, they end up as big plans that die on the vine, or worse, become the sole responsibility of the leader to implement.
So we shared something with him that every leader needs to know: the Change Equation.
The Tool: The Change Equation
Here’s the thing: Resistance to change is normal—it’s part of human nature. But to overcome it, you need three things working together:
Dissatisfaction with the status quo
A compelling Vision of the future
Concrete, actionable, Natural Next Step
If even one of these is missing, resistance will win. Take dissatisfaction, for example. Without it, people feel comfortable staying right where they are. They might like your vision, but if they don’t see why it matters now, they won’t act.
Or actionable next steps—this is where even the best visionaries struggle. A big idea without a clear path feels overwhelming, and overwhelmed teams stay stuck.
That’s why we recommended he take his team through 5 Voices for Teams. It’s more than a framework—it’s a toolbox. It equips leaders with over 30 practical tools, including the Change Equation, to help teams communicate better, build stronger relationships, and align their actions with the vision. The result? Teams that execute effectively, without the leader carrying the entire burden.
Action Step
The next time you’re preparing to roll out a big idea, test your vision against the Change Equation:
Does your team feel dissatisfied enough with the status quo to move forward?
Is your vision clear, inspiring, and actionable?
Have you mapped out the first next steps in a way your team can take ownership?
When all three elements come together, resistance fades, and momentum takes its place.
Don’t let your big plans die on the vine in 2025. Let’s talk about how to equip your team with the tools to execute.
